Mike Sennello, superintendent of Center Cemetery in New Milford, says this grave stone pictured, which has been repaired several times, is probably the most serious example of damage created by an overpopulation of woodchucks at the cemetery, Monday, Sept. 21, 2015. less

Mike Sennello, superintendent of Center Cemetery in New Milford, says this grave stone pictured, which has been repaired several times, is probably the most serious example of damage created by an ... more

Mike Sennello, superintendent of Center Cemetery in New Milford, says this grave stone pictured, which has been repaired several times, is probably the most serious example of damage created by an overpopulation of woodchucks at the cemetery, Monday, Sept. 21, 2015. less

Mike Sennello, superintendent of Center Cemetery in New Milford, says this grave stone pictured, which has been repaired several times, is probably the most serious example of damage created by an ... more

NEW MILFORD — An unusual hunt to rid a town cemetery of woodchucks that have damaged ancestral headstones has been met with skepticism and concern.

The Center Cemetery, which is privately owned and has stones dating to 1719, will be closed Tuesday and after 4 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for the hunt. Hunters will use crossbows to try to eliminate about 15 woodchucks around the 17-acre cemetery. A .22-caliber rifle will be used in one section.

“There are several locations where woodchucks have dug under the foundations of headstones,” said Mike Sennello, cemetery superintendent. “The older stones don’t have the cement base under them and they are being toppled. One stone that dates back 100 years has been reset several times.”

Sennello said he has tried baiting and trapping, “with no success.”

The police department is aware of the hunt, and signs have been posted at the Poplar Street cemetery to warn the public. Sennello said the hunt will not continue past Friday, even if all animals are not killed.

The hunt raised concerns with at least one New Milford resident, Sheree Surdam.

“I can’t imagine anything more horrible,” Surdam said. “Killing them makes no sense. Don’t they think other woodchucks will come? This is not a sustainable solution. Once again, we could make a compassionate decision on how to deal with a problem with wildlife, and once again, we’re not doing it.”

Christopher Vann, wildlife biologist with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, is skeptical of the hunt. He advised Sennello not to use rifles in the southern end of the cemetery since houses are within 500 yards of that area. He recommended using double-door traps, but said Sennello told him the woodchucks were “trap-shy,” since that method had already failed.

“I’m skeptical that crossbows will do the job,” said Vann, who said an arrow from a crossbow travels about 70 yards and not as far as a standard bow.

“You’d have to be very skilled and have a very accurate crossbow and be patient,” Vann said. “They’re very intelligent animals, and if they see a movement, they’ll go into their burrows and stay there for three hours.”

Vann said he understands Sennello’s need to eradicate the animals. He has heard of serious damage woodchucks have done. One woman lost her swimming pool when woodchucks burrowed under it so extensively it caused the water to leak out, he said.

But since the cemetery is privately owned, owners have the right to hunt and kill the animals, Vann said.

“Woodchucks are attracted to open, grassy spaces,” Vann said. “Once they establish burrows in a cemetery, they can do extensive damage and their population grows quickly.”

Woodchuck culling falls under the small game mammal-hunting season and regulations set by the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. There is no limit on the number of woodchucks that can be taken during a particular hunt. Hunting can be done between one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Hunting season is June 1 to Oct. 9. Either a firearm or archery hunting license is required.